MOVIE
Director Yoon Ga-eun Expresses Gratitude to Cast and Supporters for 'The Owner of the World'
On the 20th, Director Yoon Ga-eun was interviewed at a cafe in Palpan-dong, Seoul, discussing her film 'The Owner of the World'.
'The Owner of the World' tells the story of 18-year-old high school student Lee Joo-in (played by Seo Soo-bin), who refuses to participate in a school-wide petition against the release of a child sex offender, leading to unexpected events.
Director Yoon shared, "I thought she might decline due to her busy schedule and the fact that we couldn't offer a competitive fee for this low-budget independent film. However, after reading the script, she said, 'I would have been upset if you had offered this to someone else.' She advised me to discard any vain thoughts and focus on the story that needs to be told. She encouraged me to let go of any ambitions for fame or festival recognition and to concentrate on the work itself."
The film also features Kim Seok-hoon as Joo-in's father and Go Min-si as a close friend who volunteers with Joo-in. Director Yoon explained, "The main characters are played by newcomers. I wanted 'this world' to feel familiar to the audience, and new actors often take time to connect with viewers. Therefore, I cast 'familiar faces' for the adult roles surrounding them."
She added, "Actress Go Min-si mentioned me as a director she wanted to work with in an interview, and I was fortunate to have the opportunity to offer her a role." Regarding Kim Seok-hoon, she said, "I first met him 20 years ago during my time as an assistant director in theater. I wanted someone solid for the role, and he provided valuable feedback. As a father of two and someone deeply concerned with social issues, he helped transform the character into a more dynamic father figure."
The film was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, where actor Park Jung-min and director Yeon Sang-ho, who attended with their film 'Face', praised 'The Owner of the World'. Director Yoon expressed her gratitude, saying, "I am grateful for the unexpected support. Having made three independent films, box office success feels like a distant dream, akin to world peace." She continued, "The support from Park Jung-min, Director Yeon Sang-ho, and others is not just praise for me or the film, but a recognition of the themes and people the film represents. I hope many people will watch it, and I am thankful for the courage extended to us."
Director Bong Joon-ho has previously praised Yoon Ga-eun as one of the "three masters" who bring child actors to life on screen, alongside Abbas Kiarostami and Hirokazu Kore-eda. He also named her as the only Korean director among the "20 Next Generation Directors to Watch" in the British film magazine 'Sight & Sound', calling her "one of the most exciting new-generation Korean female directors."
Receiving public support from several renowned filmmakers, Director Yoon expressed her gratitude, saying, "I hope I'm not a burden to them. It feels like I'm fulfilling my fan spirit." She added, "As a junior filmmaker, I've tried to emulate and adapt what senior filmmakers have achieved. In the changing film environment, I ponder how to find something new. Even if senior filmmakers have left great legacies, simply inheriting them feels lazy. I feel the pressure to achieve more than they did to set a new example for future generations."
'The Owner of the World' is set to be released on the 22nd.
Kim Ji-won, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr
